BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF FINE ARTS (M.F.A.) IN DIGITAL ARTS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF MEDIA AND

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF MEDIA

AND KNOWLEDGE SCIENCES

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.660

BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF

FINE ARTS (M.F.A.) IN DIGITAL ARTS UNDER THE

AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF MEDIA AND

KNOWLEDGE SCIENCES

16th October, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE 395 of 2020.

(1)

These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-laws for

the degree of Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Digital Arts under the

auspices of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences.

(2)

In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Media and

Knowledge Sciences;

“the Course” means the programme of study leading to the

degree of Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Digital Arts;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)

in Digital Arts; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

These bye-laws shall be

applicable

for

courses

commencing in October 2020 or later.

The Course shall be offered in any area of study which

benefits from a project-based approach, including disciplines from

the digital arts, media arts, visual arts, sound arts, graphic design,

photography and interdisciplinary practice that falls within the

academic responsibility of the Board, after approval by Senate.

(1)

The Course is open to applicants in possession of

either

(a)

a Bachelor’s degree obtained with at least Second

Class Honours or with placement in Category II

from this or another university, in the Creative Arts

and/or Media or any other area as deemed relevant

by the Board, together with a substantial portfolio

of recent works; or

(b)

a professional qualification/qualifications and/or

experience deemed by Senate, on the

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF MEDIA

AND KNOWLEDGE SCIENCES

recommendation of the Board, to satisfy in part the

admission requirements to the Course, provided

that applicants may be required to complete a

preparatory programme as specified in bye-law 5,

together with a substantial portfolio of recent

works.

(2)

All applicants who are not in possession of a first degree

in the Creative Arts and/or Media shall be interviewed and evaluated

by an interviewing board composed of at least three members.

Applicants shall be asked to provide evidence of their professional

experience in the Creative Arts and/or Media by means of a portfolio.

(3)

All prospective applicants are required to establish contact

with the Department in order to discuss their proposal prior to formal

application.

(1)

All applicants may be required to follow a

preparatory programme as specified by the Board.

(2)

The preparatory programme shall comprise not less than

30 and not more than 60 ECTS credits as directed by the Board.

Applicants shall be required to obtain an overall average mark of

55% or better in the preparatory programme prior to their registration

as regular students on the Course.

The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time

study or the equivalent in part-time study.

(1)

The programme of study shall comprise study-units

to which a total of 90 ECTS credits are assigned.

(2)

The programme of study will be undertaken primarily by

studio-based or practice-based research. The detailed programme

will vary depending on the theme of research, but shall normally

include a project and/or a portfolio of original studio-based or

practice-based or project-based work, as exhibited through a project

and/or a portfolio of work and a written dissertation.

(3)

The programme of study shall comprise taught study units

to which 10 ECTS credits are assigned and a research component to

which 80 ECTS credits are assigned, as approved by the Board, of

which 15 ECTS credits are assigned to the dissertation.

(4)

The programme of study shall be published by the Board

after approval by Senate, normally not less than eight months prior to

the commencement of the Course

(1)

The assessment of each taught study-unit shall be

completed by the end of the semester in which the teaching of the

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF MEDIA

AND KNOWLEDGE SCIENCES

study-unit is held.

(2)

Students who fail in the assessment of the taught study-

units shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessments at

the September Supplementary Assessment Session. Students who

after re-assessment fail to obtain credit for any study-unit, shall be

required to withdraw from the Course.

(1)

Students shall be required to submit an individual

dissertation of not less than 15,000 words, exclusive of notes,

bibliography and appendices, in accordance with the guidelines

issued by the Board.

(2)

Work on the dissertation may be undertaken at any time

during the Course after approval of the proposal by the Board.

(3)

The provisional title for the dissertation and a detailed

research proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval at the

time of application.

The project and/or portfolio of work shall comprise

studio-based or practice-based or project-based work related to the

theme of research as approved by the Board.

Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall

provide guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of

study.

Students shall be required to sit for a viva voce

examination focusing on the project and/or portfolio of work and the

dissertation.

(1)

The Board shall appoint a Panel of Supervision for

each student normally composed of three members as follows: Head

of Department, or his or her delegate, as Chairman, and two other

members, one of whom being the research supervisor, provided that

when the Head of Department is the supervisor, he or she shall not

chair the panel.

(2)

The Panel of Supervision shall follow, as it deems fit, the

progress of students in their work for the project and/or a portfolio of

work and a written dissertation, provided that it meets at least twice a

year to review such progress.

(3)

Students shall be required to report to their supervisors at

least once every two months, and in addition as often as the

supervisor deems necessary.

(4)

At the end of each semester of studies supervisors shall be

required to submit to the Panel of Supervision reports for the students

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF MEDIA

AND KNOWLEDGE SCIENCES

under their supervision. Students shall seek approval from said Panel

for any substantial modification in the title or content of the project

and/or portfolio of work and the dissertation. The project and/or

portfolio of work and the dissertation may not normally be submitted

for examination without the approval of the supervisor.

(5)

The Panel of Supervision shall periodically inform the

Board, in writing, on the general performance of each student for the

project and/or portfolio of work and the dissertation. Such advice

may include recommendations to either (a) extend the period of study

in order to enable the student to complete the project and/or portfolio

of work and the dissertation; or (b) terminate studies prematurely if

the supervisor deems this to be proper in the circumstances, provided

that

(i)

the extension of the study period referred to in (a)

shall be in accordance with the provisions of the

Principal Regulations; and

(ii)

the Board may not terminate studies prematurely

according to (b) until it has first given the student a

chance to be heard.

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the

classification of the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in

all the components of the programme of study, all credits being

weighted equally.

The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply

mutatis mutandis to courses followed on a part-time basis, and

subject to such changes as may reasonably be deemed by the relevant

Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the Course.